BIDDEFORD, Maine (1/10/2026) - The Nichols College women's ice hockey traveled for a long-road conference match up against the University of New England Nor'Easters at the Harold Alfond Forum. With an outstanding offensive performance in the third period, the Bison were able to mount a lead and their first conference win of the season against UNE, 3-1.

Following the win, women's ice hockey improves their record to 4-10-0, 1-8-0 standing in the Conference of New England. The Nor'Easters' record falls to even at 7-7-0, 3-4-0 in the CNE.

The first period ended scoreless, featuring strong defensive execution from both sides of the ice. Freshman goaltender Ivy Grant stopped nine scoring chances within the start of play to keep the game at an even pace. The score-stopping performance was matched by the Nor'Easters, stopping nine shots from hitting the back of the net. Both teams headed off the ice with the score still even and plenty of time left within the game, 0-0.

Nichols put up seven shots in the second period and defended three power plays awarded to the Nor'Easters, with one inching from the end of the first period. Despite this performance, UNE found an opportunity to score at 3:17 left in the period and capitalized on an even-strength bout, putting them above the Bison, 0-1. Following the score for UNE, Nichols defended eight shots to keep the deficit at a minimum, looking for a push in the final period to get above and come away with a win.

At 15:12 and early into the final period of play, freshman Riley Devlin sank an equalizer off of an on-pipe shot from Sienna Reeves, effectively assisted by Reeves as well as Avery Moriarty. The goal produced is Devlin's fifth of the season, also marking Moriarty's first point for the season as well. Though the Bison didn't stop there, continuing to roll their way to a lead at 10:46 off of a score from yet another freshman forward in Kaylyn Bourque, a power-play lead-taker assisted by Reeves. Reeves' assist marks the 11th of the season for the start of her collegiate career, now the leader for the Conference of New England for assists as a total and assists per game. In rapid-fire fashion, the Bison added to their lead and ultimately sealed the game with freshman Keira Goffe's score at 8:10, assisted by Angalisa Caceda. Grant's several saves in the remaining minutes decided the game in favor of Nichols, 3-1.

With the three scores tonight, Devlin, Bourque, and Goffe now not only lead for goals scored in the program with five each respectively, but also appear in the conference's top-10 for total goals scored on the season. 

Read more about Nichols' players' standings for the conference statistics at the Conference of New England website.

Women's ice hockey will return to conference play against Curry College at Levy Rink on Friday, January 16th, with the game set to start at 4:40 PM.